Indoor Cycling:
More Than Just Cardio
By Jessica Lewis, Owner of Dragonfly Cycle + Train
Lead Instructor & Indoor Cycling Trainer
Sept. 28, 2025
Indoor Cycling: More Than Just Cardio
When most people hear indoor cycling, they picture endless pedaling and pure cardio. And yes, cycling will absolutely get your heart pumping, but at Dragonfly Cycle + Train, it’s so much more than that. Our rhythm-based indoor cycling classes are designed to challenge your body and your mind, giving you a total fitness experience that combines endurance, high-intensity intervals, and resistance training — all set to incredible music in a dark, high-energy room that feels more like a party than a workout.
Cycling with us isn’t about zoning out on a stationary bike — it’s about unlocking strength, endurance, and mental clarity in a way that feels engaging, energizing, and empowering.
The Dragonfly Formula: 1/3 Endurance. 1/3 Intervals. 1/3 Resistance.
Endurance (Steady-State Cardio): Build your aerobic base with steady, controlled efforts that strengthen your heart, improve stamina, and train your body to go the distance.
Intervals (HIIT Training): Push your limits with sprints, accelerations, and power bursts that spike your heart rate, torch calories, and build speed. This is high-intensity interval training at its best — efficient, challenging, and effective.
Resistance (Strength Training on the Bike): Here’s where cycling becomes strength training. With heavy resistance and hill climbs, you’ll build strong, powerful legs and core muscles while improving endurance and stability.
This balance is what sets Dragonfly apart. Our rides are never just about “sweating it out” — they’re about training your body to perform better in all aspects of fitness.
The Endorphin Rush: Why Rhythm Riding Works
Cycling at Dragonfly isn’t just about physical gains — it’s about the mental benefits, too. Riding to the beat of the music, in sync with a room full of people, creates an almost meditative state. Add the endorphin rush of high-intensity training, and suddenly stress melts away, energy spikes, and your mood lifts. It’s not just exercise — it’s therapy on a bike.
Science backs this up: rhythm-based exercise has been shown to improve focus, reduce anxiety, and boost long-term adherence to workouts. And because our playlists are curated to energize, inspire, and push you at just the right moments, the ride feels less like a grind and more like a release.
Why Cycling Belongs in a Balanced Fitness Routine
Here’s the thing: cycling is amazing, but it’s only one part of a full, well-rounded fitness plan. A complete regimen should include:
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Cardio & Endurance Training (that’s your cycling)
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Strength Training to build muscle, boost metabolism, and protect your joints
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Mobility & Flexibility Work to improve range of motion, prevent injury, and aid recovery
At Dragonfly, we believe your body performs best when all three pillars are in place. That’s why, under one roof, we offer not only world-class indoor cycling, but also functional strength classes, TRX suspension training, Pilates, recovery-focused stretch sessions, and personal training.
When you pair indoor cycling with strength and mobility training, you’re not just getting fit — you’re building a body that’s strong, balanced, and resilient. That’s why Dragonfly members see such incredible results: we give you the tools to train smarter, not just harder.
Why Group Cycling Beats Riding at Home
With the rise of at-home fitness bikes, you might wonder why bother with a studio class. The truth? Riding in a group setting is not only more fun — it’s more effective. Here’s why:
1. Accountability. It’s easy to hit pause at home. But when you’re in a room full of people pushing together, you’ll show up, stay in it, and work harder than you would solo.
2. Energy. There’s nothing like the buzz of a packed room moving in sync to the music. The energy is contagious, and it keeps you motivated from the first beat to the last push.
3. Coaching. At Dragonfly, our instructors don’t just tell you what to do — they coach, motivate, and challenge you in real time. That personal connection can’t be replicated by a screen.
4. Community. The friendships, encouragement, and camaraderie you build in class keep you coming back. You’re not just riding a bike — you’re part of a team.
5. Fun Factor. Let’s be honest: a dark room, killer playlist, and sweaty crew of riders beats pedaling alone in your living room any day of the week.
This is why our members consistently tell us they look forward to their workouts. And when you want to show up, consistency follows — and that’s what delivers real results.
The Dragonfly Difference
Unlike traditional cycling classes that focus on either endurance or intervals, we intentionally program every class to deliver all three: endurance, intervals, and resistance. That means in just one 45–60 minute ride, you’ll train your cardiovascular system, build muscular strength, and experience the mental release that comes from rhythm-based riding in a dark, music-filled room.
And because Dragonfly also offers strength, mobility, and recovery classes, you don’t have to bounce between studios to get a complete fitness plan. You can get it all here — cardio, strength, mobility, and community — under one roof.
Indoor cycling at Dragonfly is not “just cardio.” It’s a full-spectrum, mind-and-body workout that leaves you stronger, faster, and happier every single time you clip in.
So the next time someone says cycling is only about cardio? Invite them to Dragonfly. One ride is all it takes to see — and feel — the difference.
